Photo: Hartford Wolf Pack

The Hershey Bears fell to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1 (OT), Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. Sonny Milano scored his second goal as a Bear and Hunter Shepard posted his second-consecutive excellent outing in the loss. The Bears record drops to 2-2-2-0 on the season.

LINEUP

Hunter Shepard got the start in goal for the Bears. Filip Lindberg got the start between the pipes for the Penguins. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Mike Vecchione – Mike Sgarbossa – Garrett Pilon
Sonny Milano – Henrik Borgstrom – Sam Anas
Mason Morelli – Hendrix Lapierre – Henrik Rybinski
Shane Gersich – Riley Sutter – Matthew Strome

Lucas Johansen – Aaron Ness
Gabriel Carlsson – Vinny Iorio
Bobby Nardella – Dylan McIlrath

Scratches: Alex Alexeyev, Ethan Frank, Jake Massie, Julian Napravnik, Logan Day and Kale Kessy were the scratches.

Recalls/Reassignments: Martin Has was re-assigned to South Carolina earlier this week. Beck Malenstyn was recalled by the Capitals last week.

Former Bears’ captain Matt Moulson and son George, in town for a hockey tournament, dropped the ceremonial puck before tonight’s game.

Former Bears’ Captain Matt Moulson and son George drop tonight’s ceremonial puck in Hershey. pic.twitter.com/5o2duY4SiJ

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 29, 2022

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears opened the scoring with a laser from Sonny Milano (2) at 6:48 of the first frame. Garrett Pilon (4) and Mike Sgarbossa (2) had the helpers.

Sonny Milano with a dart, gives the Bears an early 1-0 lead. It’s his second goal as a Bear. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/TXCypnpx7U

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 29, 2022

The Penguins tied the game late in the opening frame. Corey Andonovski (3) muscled his way through the Bears defense to tie the game 1-1 at 17:24 of the opening frame. Xavier Ouellet (4) and Mark Friedman (1) were credited with assists.

Baby Pens tie it 1-1, late in first frame. pic.twitter.com/gFw5f7lHJ8

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 29, 2022

The first period concluded with the game tied 1-1. The Penguins led in shots 7-6 for the first 20 minutes. The Penguins were 0 for 2 and the Bears 0 for 1 on the power play in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears and Penguins skated to a scoreless draw in the middle frame.

Hershey led in shots 13-8 in the middle frame and led 19-15 after two periods.

Both sides were 0 for 2 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

Sonny Milano had a great chance to put the Bears ahead midway through the final frame but Penguins’ goaltender Filip Lindberg made a tremendous save.

Sonny Milano with a breakaway, but Filip Lindberg with a huge stop. Still tied 1-1. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/dLaGyHuH8I

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 30, 2022

Three third period penalties put the Bears in a bind for a majority of the final frame, but the Bears penalty kill was perfect down the stretch.

Regulation concluded in the 1-1 tie.

OVERTIME 

The Penguins won it with 1:28 left in overtime. Hunter Shepard made a series of unbelievable stops but finally would yield the game-winner.

The Bears are back in action on Sunday when they host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 5PM.

SHAVINGS

• AHL box score
• Attendance: 7,647
• Penguins led in shots 29-27.
• Sonny Milano led all Bears in shots with 5.
• Hunter Shepard stopped 22 of 23 for a .956 game save percentage.